Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton recently recognized Leon Charney — a prominent American Jew — for his lifelong commitment to peace through diplomacy and for the example he has set for the university's students.

FAU awarded Charney an honorary doctorate in humane letters in a special ceremony in the Kenneth R. Williams Administration Building at the university's Boca Raton campus.

According to an FAU press release, Charney, 78, is a prominent lawyer, author and broadcaster — as well as a former advisor to notable statesmen, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and deceased Israeli leaders such as former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and former President Ezer Weizman.

According to the release, Charney is most noted for his work with Carter and Weizman which ultimately led to the Camp David Peace Agreement between Israel and Egypt in 1978. This was the first time in history that peace was made between a Jewish nation and an Arab country.

FAU President John Kelly said during the ceremony: "Leon Charney shows that one person can make a huge difference in the world. Florida Atlantic University is privileged to shine a light on this unsung champion of peace."

Jeffery Morton — professor of diplomacy in FAU's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters (and the director of FAU's Diplomacy Program) made the original nomination of Charney for this honor.

During the ceremony, Morton said: "Leon Charney's dedication to peace among nations not only merits our sincere appreciation, but also serves as a source of inspiration for the aspiring diplomats that are trained through the FAU Diplomacy Program. We are forever indebted to Leon Charney."

The students in FAU's Diplomacy Program attended the ceremony and were inspired by Charney's presence.

Following the ceremony, Charney said in an in-person interview: "I'm very excited today. I want to inspire these students and tell them to do what I did and to follow in my footsteps."

Anne Cathrine Ballegaard, an FAU senior in the Diplomacy Program, said in an in-person interview: "Today put everything in perspective to see the kind of impact you can make as a diplomat."

Juliana Walters, a FAU junior who will be starting the Diplomacy Program next semester, added in an in-person interview: "It was very inspiring to come to this before I even start the Diplomacy Program. It's amazing to see that a diplomat can just be a civilian who wants to do what's best for their country."

Tara Levy, a FAU senior and one of two Emerson Fellows at FAU for StandWithUs — the Israel education organization — also attended the ceremony and commented in an in-person interview: "I think it's great that FAU is paying tribute to Mr. Charney for the incredible role he played in bringing peace between Israel and Egypt. I'm honored to be getting a degree from the same university that is honoring him."

According to Wikipedia, Charney and his wife — Israeli-born Tzili Doron — live primarily in Manhattan in New York City, and divide the rest of their time between residences in Tel Aviv, Israel and Boca Raton.

Rabbi David Steinhardt — senior rabbi of B'nai Torah Congregation — attended the ceremony and commented in an email: "I have known Leon Charney for about 10 years. He is an extraordinary man in many ways. This was indicated at the ceremony today as he was recognized for being a 'warrior for peace.'

"He [Charney] has done so much with little notice until recently. And that's the way he has wanted it. He has had access to the highest levels of government and power. He has used that access to change the world. … He indicates brilliance in being able to understand people and communicate with them. Leon Charney is richly deserving of this award."

According to a flyer handed out at the event, Charney's rise to international prominence is a classic "American Dream" story.

Excerpts of the flyer read: "Born to an immigrant family, he [Charney] worked his way through Yeshiva University and Brooklyn Law School.

"With $200 in his pocket, he started his own law firm, representing sports figures and show business personalities.

"At age 35, he became Special Counsel to Senator Vance Hartke of Indiana. He was asked by Golda Meir, then Prime Minister of Israel, to use his influence to help free Soviet Jewish dissidents. Charney's involvement brought about the emigration of 1,000 Jews to Israel.

"During this period, Ezer Weizman, who was to become Israel's defense minister, retained Charney as his personal attorney. At the same time, Anwar Sadat of Egypt made his historic trip to Israel to seek peace.

"Charney was called upon by Weizman and U.S. President Jimmy Carter to act as a 'back door channel' [an unofficial advisor] in helping the parties create a workable agreement. The result was the 1978 Camp David Peace Accords and, ultimately, the Camp David Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt. …

"Carter often referred to Charney as the 'unsung hero' of the Camp David Peace Treaty and his 'fellow Middle East negotiator.'

"For more than 25 years, Charney had moderated 'The Leon Charney Report,' an award-winning, nationally-televised program. He is the author of five books, including Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace, which was made into an Emmy Award-winning documentary video."